A bi-weekly Q&A session with millennial travellers to learn more about their experiences, inspirations and travel tips.

With 17 countries visited, she currently resides in Morocco, being a content creator, storyteller and travel blogger. Coumba identifies herself as a “weak passport” holder. She says, “as a Senegalese citizen, my passport does not make it easier to travel. For many countries, a visa is required. But I am proud of who I am and I am willing to run from embassy to embassy to make my dream come true. I want to inspire my fellow Africans, and show them it is possible.”

TES: Why do you like travelling?CS: What I love most about travel is to discover new cultures. As much as I love discovering new countries, I also love to stay several months to fully understand the culture. I love trying new foods, learning new languages, and discovering hidden gems off the beaten track. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy some tourists stuff, but traveling takes me out of my comfort zone.

TES: What is your best travel tip?CS: This might sound a bit cliché, but the best travel tip I can give again and again is to #livelikealocal. Surround yourselves with locals. That is the best way to fully enjoy a place and discover what life is like on the other side of the world. Locals will teach and show you everything you won’t find in guides or on the internet. Try as much as possible to meet locals.

TES: Your 3 travel essentials?CS: My swimsuit! First things first-you never know when you will find a pool, the ocean, waterfalls, a lake, Jacuzzi,…basically water !

Secondly, there is a whole set of adapters and a trailing socket that never leave my suitcase.Third its pretty obvious, my phone -during trips it literally never leaves my hand. That’s what I use to capture moments (photos, videos, creative ideas, blog posts, etc) But also I have different apps that come in handy during trips such as Google to search for anything and everything, Maps is your best friend for itinerary and apps for currency exchange, translators, social media (many info in there), catch up with family and friends. Hopper to catch a flight, uber, and any other local apps too.

TES: Best place you have travelled to?CS: This is a tough question. I love Los Angeles, although many people don’t, and i want to see more of the US. I love London too. Barcelona has my heart. Dakar my home town is amazing. Marrakech as well. Bora Bora is paradise on earth but my favorite place would be somewhere I resided obviously. I love French Polynesia it is so much more than what people think. It’s not just paradise, the rich culture, the people-sweet, humble and down to earth, the food (oh my) it’s everything!South Africa is also on the list. Though very different from French Polynesia. From all the places I have been, SA is the country I can see myself living in. I can’t explain, it just felt like home.

TES: Worst place you have travelled to?CS: I don’t really want to talk about a worst place, because there is always something good and something to learn and discover. If I really don’t like a place I guess I just leave and it never happened so far (except France where I lived for many years). I visited Amsterdam, I liked it, but I don’t necessarily want to go back.

TES: Your favourite travel blogger?CS: I don’t really have one. Though I am inspired by many in terms of content creation, photography and creativity. Many “travel bloggers” on Instagram seem to be passport stamp chasers rather than immersing themselves in the cultures and customs of the destinations they visit.

Coumba continues her quest to show her travels around exploring the world.